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The Caitians are a felinoid species hailing from the planet Cait. The feline appearance of Caitians includes long manes and a tail. Caitians tend to vary in color from brown to black, and speak in a soft purring voice. (Star Trek: The Animated Series)

As Cait is a Federation member, Caitians are known to serve in Starfleet and on the Federation Council, and were present as members in 2286.

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History and politics

The Caitians were believed to be the descendants of an ancient Kzinti colony.

In The Federation, Caitians are said to have evolved from creatures similar to Terran felines.

They made first contact with the Orions and the Ferengi, and met Federation ships for the first time in 2249. Within a few years, such good relations existed between the cultures that they entered the United Federation of Planets.

Four other planets in the Federation had Caitian populations: Havelind, Hochlor IV, Macadarna, and Narval (Whether they were colonized by the Caitians before joining the Federation or after is unknown. Regardless, all four were either full-status members or associate-status members of the Federation). Also, Caitians composed 35% of Riviera's population (with the remainder being: Human 30% and Other 35%) and 15% of Commissariate's population (with the remainder being: Andorian 35%, Vulcan 20%, Human 15%, and Other 15%).

By 2363, Caitains had also settled on the planet Kirisha, near the Alpha Persi Cluster. This planet was near the outer borders of the Regnancy of the Carnellian Throne. A brief war broke out over the Caitains' reluctance to become "slaves" of the Carnellian Throne. When the unusual Carnellian use of the word "slave" was understood, the Caitain colonists agreed to become Cohorts of the Throne.

In 2370 a party of Caitains visited Deep Space 9 to witness the Illumination of The Prodigal.

Physiology

Caitians were bipedal, ranging from two to three meters in height, and feature a thick orange mane, a tail, and large golden eyes which gave them excellent night vision. Their fur ranged in color from tan to reddish-tan. They also had excellent hearing with a frequency range beyond that of most humanoids which made them ideal candidates for communications officers. Caitian voices often resembled the purring of Terran cats.

Caitians are bipedal, and outside of secondary characteristics, display less sexual dimorphism between males and females. Tall and lean, generally ranging in full grown height from 5’,11" to 6’,4", and weighing around 160 to 180 lbs. Having very low body fat, they have great difficulty swimming, and tend to dislike large bodies of water. With long tails, manes, and fur coloration mostly part similar to Terran short hair domesticated cats (pure white being a rarity, rarest of all is the silvered coloring of the almost extinct Polar Caitians.) Caitians are often considered among the most physically attractive species in the galaxy.

Caitian hands have three fingers and an opposable thumb. Both hands and feet have retractable claws, which Caitians customarily grow long and sharp, though the use of those claws in combat is unthinkable. They do not need to wear shoes, as their padded feet are quite durable, and allow them to move with impressive silence.

Society, Culture, & Traditions

Caitains had a reputation for being one of the most cooperative and intelligent members of the Federation.

Caitian names did not follow a gender pattern, so no name was distinctively male or female.

Caitian culture emphasized a love of beauty and a focus on personal loyalty. Loyalty, both within the individual and between individuals, was highly prized by all Caitians. The interlocking individual and clan relationships that existing in their society were the main cause of this focus on loyalty. Most Caitians prefered a vegetarian diet and were not carnivorous.